out of status H1B and won Diversity lottery help!!!

[questions]

Hi,

I have been selected for the Green Card Diversity lottery and have some questions:

I have been working for the past 6 years on a H1B visa and have been laid off in March.
I am currently out of status, my H1B has expired, but I have an approved extension I797A form and I-94 untill October 2010.
I am planning to return to my home country July 31 (at that point I will be out of status for 4.5 months, but have not aquired unlawful presence).

1- Is my Green card application/approval in jeopardy by being out of status?
2- Is it possible to have my status adjusted and proceed inside the United States?
3- Do I increase my changes to obtain approval if I return as soon as possible to my home country instead of waiting until July 31st?
4- Is it possible for me to travel to the US on a tourist visa while waiting for a
response from the consular center?
5- Overall, what would be the recommended approach to give the best chance of approval?

Thanks in advance!

[sk4ih]

Complex case. Better to be advised by an immigration lawyer.

[questions]

I did. The answer I got was that they can be lenient towards out of status, not against unlawful presence. I was told it is likely that it will not have consequences for me.
I have submitted the forms and will go for consular processing in my home country.